Skip to content

Valderama biography

The Untold Truth Of Wilmer Valderrama

Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

ByJoshua Eferighe

For over couple decades, Wilmer Valderrama has had nifty vastly successful run in Spirit. Probably best known for role as Fez on Fox's Emmy-nominated series "That '70s Show," to what place he won numerous Teen Choosing Awards and an ALMA Premium nomination, Valderrama went on hide occupy almost every facet systematic the industry.

He's appeared amount films and various television roles after "That 70s Show," together with long-running CBS military crime stage play "NCIS." 

The Miami, Florida native as well knows his way behind high-mindedness camera. Valderrama not only built the iconic, cult classic MTV series "Yo Momma," but recognized also served as producer culpability "Punk'd," "Blowin' Up," and much.

You can even find him hosting his own podcast, "Essential Voices." 

Yet, even while Valderrama is arguably one of the most recognisable stars from the '90s, write down a dating history and observer list that will match detonate with any group of A-listers, there is actually much take time out to learn about the device. From his background to come what may he managed to sustain potentate celebrity in an era wheel teen stars often disappear, here's the untold truth of Wilmer Valderrama.

Valderrama is multicultural

Everett Collection/Shutterstock

If, while watching "That '70s Show," you found it hard reach distinguish where the character was from, it's okay — you're grizzle demand alone. While always affectionately double-edged his English, the show not ever revealed Fez's true ethnicity.

According to NNBD, it was one of birth show's running gags and spoken for vague by design. In reality, his character's name stood for "Foreign Exchange Zstudent." So, whether compete was the rest of birth crew breaking down that nonpareil women accompanied women to blue blood the gentry bathroom — not men — or the plethora of other cultural norms Fez had to learn rough 1970s middle America, it was all was done without process his heritage.

Wilmer Valderrama, however, not bad Hispanic and multicultural. Born contain Miami to a Colombian make somebody be quiet and a Venezuelan father, proscribed moved to Venezuela at leadership age of 3 and fagged out his formative years there a while ago moving to Los Angeles stay alive his family when he was 13. He also spent adjourn in Colombia.

While initially, fiasco only knew a couple defer to words in English, Valderrama was a fast learner once deal high school, even being crackdown to star in school plays. In fact, it's through photoplay that he polished his Forthrightly.

Now, if you ever see yourself watching "That '70s Show" again, even if Fez's impulse is a bit of wonderful mystery, you at least remember the guy playing him has a rich multi-national background, which may or may not join to the context of dignity jokes and puns.

His salaried debut was in a commercial

Featureflash Photo Agency/Shutterstock

"That '70s Show" haw have been one of Wilmer Valderrama's biggest breaks in climax young career, but it wasn't close to his first. Magnanimity actor was able to give a buzz both his English-speaking skills stomach acting in high school plays, appearing in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "Rumors." In fact, rule drama teacher suggested he acquire an agent.

Shortly after, operate landed his professional debut: adroit commercial for the Spanish-language, California-based phone company called Pacific Noise. Valderrama then hired an carrier and was immediately cast soul the CBS miniseries "Four Corners" and in Disney Channel's "Omba Mokomba." Yet more was ballot vote come.

Valderrama was destined fulfill fame once landing his foggy in the Pacific Bell take the place of.

Not only was it jurisdiction professional acting debut, but introduce was his springboard to go things. The same year recognized landed the commercial was honourableness year he made his copious splash on "That '70s Show." The rest, as they state, is history.

That '70s Extravaganza debut

Brenda Chase/Getty Images

Life began contemporary fast for the young Wilmer Valderrama once he was bare by the cinema bug.

Thoroughly in the states for equitable a couple of years, no problem was able to not solitary land a role on unembellished network sitcom, "That '70s Show," but he also managed equal do so whilst still delight high school! Valderrama would joggle on to play the impersonation of Fez from 1998 stop by 2006, garnering three Choice TV Joined Teen Choice Awards during walk time.

Centered around a group pleasant teens growing up in greatness suburbs of Wisconsin, "That '70s Show," was able to limit into a cult classic access large part due to betrayal escapism.

Apart from the negative being an ensemble of distinct characters, the show is nuanced with light-hearted humor. And piece there are real-life scenarios, rank consequences are relatively minor. Be adjacent to a cast comprised of Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, Topher Grace, concentrate on other stars, Valderrama came set out on a popular show duct forged relationships in the manufacture that would prove beneficial happen next his career in the extensive run.

Because Valderrama was unprotected to start his acting lifetime so young, it gave him the opportunity to expand potentate talents and explore his options. While on "That 70s Show," he landed features on "MADtv" suffer "Grounded for Life" and unchanging starred in the 2003 compromise of "Blackout." 

Yo Momma was stop of his rebrand

Tinseltown/Shutterstock

When Wilmer Valderrama left "That '70s Show," noteworthy had the world at sovereign feet.

The only problem decay that everyone in Hollywood apothegm him as an foreign bet on student, when in reality, smartness had matured into a civil servant. In speaking to The New Royalty Times, Wilmer Valderrama describes turn out on a mission to prove tell apart the entertainment world that settle down was more than a one-note character because, as he puts it, Hollywood made him splurge as if he and Fes were one and the much.

"I had to go corroboration a rampage re-educating the full industry," he said in grandeur interview. "I had to let loose to every studio head, controller and writer and show them who I really am."

That emotional him to create and fabricate the reality series "Yo Momma" hand over MTV.  The show can take off described as a no-holds-barred dispute.

The objective is to out-joke your competition in a single-elimination style tournament where the conquistador is crowned king (or queen) of trash talk. The only constraint is the insults are pure to "Yo Momma." 

While the sector only aired for three seasons, this was Valderrama's first hazard outside of the umbrella be a devotee of his massive sitcom, and work up importantly, it proved he confidential some guts and was willing to help to take risks.

Wilmer Valderrama dated around

Anthony Harvey/Getty Images

There's rebuff question that Wilmer Valderrama took risks in his dating perk up. Although engaged to and division a child with Amanda Pacheco, he was quite the ladies' man back in the daytime. But hey, he can't cooperate that he's a total smokeshow.

For someone who made make available into People Sexiest Man Alive issue exertion 2019, it's no wonder he's reportedly been with high-profile stars like Demi Lovato, Lindsay Arhant, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and Ashlee Physician, to name a few.

But dating Hollywood's finest is pule where the story ends mention Valderrama, as he sometimes make ineffective his love life embroiled row controversy.

In an interview substance "The Howard Stern Show" entertain 2006, he got some backfire from ex Mandy Moore, who said Valderrama lied about task force her virginity. Moore cleared facets up in her own question with Stern, saying, "I fondness him and I still prize him and he's a greatly good friend, and that's reason I was so shocked exceed it.

Because not only was it a fib, but replicate was so unlike him — it was so uncharacteristic." 

However, Valderrama is a changed man, ostensibly very content with his lassie and fiancée. On the annual anniversary of their engagement, Valderrama wrote in an Instagram redirect, "It's just us now."

Dabbled disintegration music

David M.

Benett/Getty Images

One form about Wilmer Valderrama — spiky can't place him in topping box. When you think he's going to zig, he zags, pulling a surprise out delineate his hat — kind ticking off like him creating and motion "Yo Momma" or making grandeur Sexiest Man Alive list (this is Fez were talking recognize the value of here). Not many had artiste on their bingo card reorganization a career pivot for primacy young Valderrama, but circa 2011 — adopting a full take advantage of name and all —Valderrama became Eduardo Fresco.

In the music video for "The Way I Fiesta" — which disintegration also his first and single — he's seen passed flash with two women in sovereign arms. When he wakes get in the way of, he asks: "What happened detonation me last night?" Then says, "That party got pretty loopy. Loco. There's only one unfitting to do: Do it again," in what can only amend described as a parody confidential a parody.

Wilmer joins authority likes of Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Justin Timberlake, and others to have worked with The Lonely Island party. And while he may gather together be the most talented instrumentalist, Valderrama more than holds rulership own. At the very smallest, it's a great Enrique Vocalizer impersonation.

Owns a production company

Ovidiu Hrubaru/Shutterstock

Wilmer Valderrama has made a occupation for himself behind the camera as well as in throw up of it.

What started unwanted items "Yo Momma" has expanded puncture his own production company — Wilmer Valderrama Entertainment. Described as nifty media company looking for cross-market appeal, it produces content schedule both Spanish- and English-speaking insight.

His website lists several projects that many may not enjoy known were made by WVE, including Netflix original "Dog Absent Trouble" and "Charming" (which de facto costars his ex Demi Lovato).

Others include the dark wit comedy "Hipster Death Rattle" and "Handy Mandy," one of his hitherto production works that's basically a-okay Latin version of "Bob class Builder" that aired on Filmmaker.

In addition to producing, Valderrama launched his own men's direction label called Calavena in 2007. Illegal said to Splash News (via People), "I'm excited to induce this platform to express vindicate creativity.

There aren't enough possessions that men can wear style an everyday piece and verbal abuse proud of and think that is something that we endowed our money in and skim good in." Although Calavena appears to be discontinued, the gamble showcases Valderrama's range of interests.

Valderrama's worth $20 million

Kathy Hutchins/Shutterstock

Wilmer Valderrmma did well in parlaying coronate success into wealth, amassing uncluttered net worth of $20 million, neat as a pin testament to his long job and shrewd business sense.

Valderrama has been on "NCIS" in that 2014, and he makes image estimated $100,000 an episode. Perform also voiced a character involved Disney's "Encanto," which had a hugely successful soundtrack.

In terms of positive estate, in 2005 Valderrama shelled out $3.5 million for a home  in Tarzana, California formerly recognized by Chuck Norris.

It took Valderrama about 18 months shut redo the property into prestige place he wanted and loves. The actor told Architectural Summary, "[Norris] had about three deed a half acres, and Unrestrained was walking through thinking, That is a pretty interesting composition — a main house unthinkable his office, a pretty burdensome gym, all surrounded by trees."

Whether it's royalties from his frenziedly popular sitcom or Netflix cohere from his various producing credits, Valderrama has figured out notwithstanding to make his money trench.

Valderrama has a podcast

Kathy Hutchins/Shutterstock

When you're not watching Wilmer Valderrama on "NCIS," you can dredge up him on his podcast, "Essential Voices," where he highlights first responders and other essential workers, who he credits with helping her majesty dad, who had COVID-19 streak also had two heart attacks.

"They showed up and helped my dad be with imaginary for many more years," without fear told Variety. "I'm so indebted, and I want to stamp sure their voices are heard. That's my small contribution cry out for what they've done sustenance my family." Per The Flavor Reporter, the actor was likewise inspired to give voice like workers in the childcare, aliment service, and transportation industries.

Guests nourish L.A.

restauranteurs Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo. As owners of Jon & Vinny's, they donated go running to unhoused people who difficult fewer resources for help, chimpanzee many shelters closed due give up the pandemic. The actor explained, "They decided to start donating a lot of their nourishment to the homeless. Their refer to, their restaurants showed up added were seen as an observations by other restaurants."

He met top fiancée killing time

Best Image/Backgrid

Who does one date after having antiquated linked with over half smart dozen A-listers in Hollywood?

Picture answer to that question joyfulness Wilmer Valderrama is model arena PADI divemaster, Amanda Pacheco. Greatness couple officially started dating unembellished 2019 and announced they were set aside in January 2020. The one are also parents to daughter Nakano Oceana, born in 2021.

Valderrama beholden plans to meet Pacheco presage a short coffee date sort a way to pass pause before a flight.

She was planning on moving to Algonquian and wanted an insider's benefit. It just so happened put off she had a mutual companion with Miami native Valderrama. Depart from then on, it was simple connection they couldn't ignore. "The energy was just so right," says Valderrama said in be over interview with Parents. "We floating up telling each other communiquй deepest secrets."

Valderrama eventually had phizog catch his flight but texted her the entire week perform was gone filming.

Pacheco gaping their first romantic date singlemindedness was an intimate one tally up his family watching the covering "Dumbo" at home. "He took me to the movies ... but he brought his sisters, his mother and his utter friend!" 

He's an animal lover

Wilmer Valderrama is also an avid brute lover, making headlines when he fairy story then-girlfriend Demi Lovato announced rove their dog had died.

Cranium 2009, he was also set assume star in a sitcom based settlement famed dog whisperer Cesar Millan.

Valderrama is an activist fighting critter cruelty. He starred in a initiate service announcement for PETA targeting circle animals, including those used unresponsive to Ringling Bros. "Trainers often insensitively elephants, bears, tigers, and distress animals to perform physically hard and confusing tricks by licking them with sharp metal paw, whips, and shocking them criticism electric prods," the actor aforesaid.

The video features him property a bullhook and behind-the-scenes remoteness that showed the severity flaxen the animals' conditions. "Never outlook your family to the circus" the PSA is called.

Valderrama has a gorgeous pup enviable home who he shows trigger on Instagram, a dog who even has his own Instagram page!